The sexual assault services culturally specific program (SAS culturally specific program) was created by the violence against women and department of justice reauthorization act of 2005 (vawa 2005),…

Under the Department of Justice's $495,000 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023) award, the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) will provide culturally-specific sexual assault services to Black, Hispanic, and Portuguese-speaking populations in the Greater Boston area. Services include intakes, referrals, accompaniment, case management, advocacy, support groups, and outreach. MAPS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has previously received federal grant funding and sub-awards to deliver culturally and linguistically competent services targeting underserved communities in Massachusetts. The goal of the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program is to establish, maintain, and expand intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault from culturally specific communities.

The sexual assault services culturally specific program (SAS culturally specific program) was created by the violence against women and department of justice reauthorization act of 2005 (vawa 2005), 34 U.S.C. 12511(c), and is part of the first federal funding stream solely dedicated to the provision of direct intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault. Intervention and related assistance include advocacy, accompaniment (e.g., accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), crisis intervention and support services, and referrals, among other services. Under this program, such services may be provided to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of such victims, and those collaterally affected by the victimization. Survivors of sexual assault from culturally specific communities frequently confront unique challenges when seeking assistance, such as linguistic and cultural barriers. Culturally specific community-based organizations are more likely to understand these challenges because they are familiar with the culture, language, and background of victims from their communities, who in turn are more inclined to seek services from such organizations. The goal of the SAS culturally specific program is to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault, which serve a vital role in providing services that are relevant for their communities. Through this continuation sexual assault services culturally specific program project, massachusetts alliance of portuguese speakers will provide culturally-specific sexual assault services, including intakes, referrals, accompaniment, case management, advocacy, coaching, support groups and outreach to the black and hispanic populations in the greater boston area of massachusetts. The project will address the following priority area: priority area 5, underserved communities- sexual assault services for the lgbt population.